Captain Botha a different man

South Africa’s stand-in captain Johan Botha believes his baptism of fire on the Test stage in Australia three years ago has made him stronger as he prepares to lead his side in tomorrow’s first Twenty20 international at the MCG.

The 26-year-old all-rounder had a Test debut many would rather forget in January 2006. Not only did his team lose to Australia in Sydney but his bowling action was cited by the ICC and he was subsequently banned.

It is testament to the courage and strength he showed while correcting his action - and effectively saving his international career - that Botha will return as captain of his country in the absence of the injured Graeme Smith.

Testing at the University of Western Australia following the Sydney match showed his arm exceeded the 15-degree bend permitted under ICC laws and he was forced out of the game.

Despite remodelling his action, he was still unable to bowl until September 2006 under the laws of the game.

It was not until two months later that he was cleared by the ICC and October 2007 that he next represented his country.

Far from being haunted by the whole chapter, however, Botha claimed it changed his career for the better.

Johan Botha sends Paul Collingwood packing during the summer's NatWest series

"I think what happened last time, like I always said, it had to happen. And it was probably good for me in the end," he said.

"Cricket strengthened me. Now I've been happy with my bowling in the last year or so."

It was during Botha's fight to save his career that coach Mickey Arthur first saw the player's leadership qualities.

"I think it just shows the work ethic and the amount of hard work and amount of sacrifice that Johan has put into his cricket in the last 18 months," said Arthur, the man who originally encouraged Botha to abandon his pace bowling in favour of spin.

"He's come back a far stronger person after that. Any guy who comes back from something like that has to be really mentally strong.

"I'm really glad that he's stepped up, he's come through all his trials and tribulations and he's come back a much stronger player and he's come back a leader of men which is fantastic to see."

Botha will lead a South Africa side who are in a rebuilding phase in two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals against Australia.

Arthur said the Proteas, ranked number two in the world in one-day cricket, were already looking ahead to the 2011 World Cup on the subcontinent but have a long way to go.

"We're probably nowhere near the finished article in one-day cricket," Arthur said.

"Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years’ time when the World Cup comes about.

"I see it as a very exciting phase for us. I see it as an exciting challenge for our younger players."

The Proteas have finalised their XI for tomorrow's clash at the MCG, naming five players who were not part of the historic Test series win in Australia.

While Herschelle Gibbs, Botha, and Albie Morkel are no strangers to international cricket, paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe and batsman Vaughn van Jaarsveld will be making their debuts for South Africa.